The Chargers can only hope that defenders, as in lots of them, win championships.

It was expected that the Chargers would be decidedly defensive with their 53-man roster. But what emerged Saturday was something more than just that.

It was as clear an illustration as there could be that, despite their offensive acclaim and all the attention their two missing stars on that side of the ball has garnered, the Chargers believe it is their defense that will be either their undoing or the difference that takes them further than they’ve ever gone.

When rosters were trimmed to the required 53, the Chargers were left with 29 defenders – more than all but the Pittsburgh Steelers (31), New England Patriots (30) and New Orleans Saints (30). It was also four more than the Chargers have kept to start a season since at least 2001.

The decisions made were a nod to an injury concern they presently have, ones they might have, as well as the several injuries they endured last year.

“Maximum protection,” is a phrase General Manager A.J. Smith uses often and did again yesterday.

“In terms of depth and versatility,” head coach Norv Turner said, “I don’t know if you could ask for more from our defensive roster.”

The Chargers kept six cornerbacks, eight defensive lineman and 10 linebackers. That’s two more corners, two more linemen and one more linebacker than on this date last year.

To get there, the axe fell pretty much where expected on offense, as the Chargers will go with just two quarterbacks, two tailbacks and four wide receivers.

Another wide receiver they still control the rights to but likely won’t see in their uniform again is Vincent Jackson. The disgruntled receiver was not traded Saturday. Thus, he immediately began his three-game suspension for his two DUI arrests, and the likelihood he is traded by the Oct. 19 league deadline decreased dramatically. Jackson and left tackle Marcus McNeill, unhappy with their contract status, are believed to be set on sitting out the season rather than signing one-year deals with the Chargers.

It is pretty much certain that rookie quarterback Jonathan Crompton will be re-signed to the practice squad that will be announced today. Said Turner: “I’m excited to work with him and see how far he can go.”

At least two of the four undrafted rookie backs (Curtis Brinkley and Shawnbrey McNeal) and receivers (Seyi Ajirotutu and Jeremy Williams) who showed well the past few months would also figure to be on the eight-man practice squad.

The Chargers kept undrafted rookie Ryan Otterson, a guard converted to tackle. But he is almost certain to be cut if the Chargers find a better option for depth at tackle in the coming days or weeks. Turner said Otterson is “not ready to be thrown in.”

Readiness of a certain defender also weighs on the Chargers.

There is concern linebacker Shawne Merriman will miss the season opener and about when or if he will again be the force he once was. Merriman did not play in the preseason due to his two-week tardiness and then an Achilles’ injury.

Thus, it is no coincidence the Chargers kept six outside linebackers, including undrafted rookie Brandon Lang.

It was always presumed the Chargers would keep an extra cornerback because Donald Strickland is suited to play just in the slot and because he has not played in 16 games in any of his seven seasons.

“Strickland is outstanding in the slot; he really upgraded us in that area,” Turner said. “He has had some nicks in the past.”

As insurance, and because he turned heads in August, Dante Hughes made the roster. Also, while veteran Nathan Vasher was cut after a plodding preseason, 2009 fifth-round draft pick Brandon Hughes stuck.

Perhaps most telling in terms of lessons learned by the Chargers in 2009, when they staggered through several injuries early on before getting healthier and utilizing a rotation with much success the second half of the season, is that they kept eight defensive lineman.

Count on corners, linebackers and defensive linemen being well-represented on the inactive list each Sunday.

“We have a roster defensively where we will have different guys up on a week-to-week basis, based on the type of team we’re playing,” Turner said. “It’s going to be more difficult Sundays getting (down to the active roster of) 45.

“But we have flexibility that if we’re playing someone who is going to throw it 50 times and we have to have six corners up, that’s what we can do. If someone is going to pound it, we can have six defensive linemen up.”

And hopefully have all (most) of them available for an entire season. This roster makeup, Smith said, was “based on the longevity of the season.”

With Merriman still a question mark, the Chargers defense has no real star. It has some young players that might be but none that have emerged as such. In fact, it arguably has more unproven players than those who are established.